Lavender lags far behind sweet-smelling purple-hued sister names Violet and Lilac, but is starting to get some enthusiastic attention from cutting-edge namers. It does have a history as a name, going back to the eighteenth century, when it was also used for boys. But its recent attention comes from Lavender Brown, a witch character in the Harry Potter saga--though Lavender had also been previously featured as a best friend character in Roald Dahl's Matilda.

letmein Says:

Skittlewiddles Says:

I don't find it to be a hipster name. While I have never known a Lavender, I have known a Magnolia and a Sequoia . I think this name just falls into the same underused nature name category without "hipster-ness"implied. :)

marnie r Says:

paulapuddephatt Says:

My thoughts exactly. It is a pity really, as lavender is a beautiful plant and I love the essential oils. I feel as though I should love the name, but the potential nicknames put me off. To be honest, lavatory is used less frequently, even in the UK, but it's still heard too often for my liking.

Thepandaprincess223 Says:

I am starting to really like Lavender. It has spunk and I love the nickname Lala and to make it better I am a huge Harry Potter fan and Lavender Brown is awesome. I think a cute name for Lavender is Lavender Sienna.

Tillie_Jay Says:

I used to hate this name because of Harry Potter's Lavender Brown, but I've recently begun to love it. I still don't like the character, but I love the name. It's just unique, lovely, and slightly mysterious.

Carol Says:

jaz.fortune Says:

I really like this name for a daughter. It's the name of a little girl in Matilda which I love since my daughter is multiracial. I love how different it is and I think it's really pretty. I wish Lavender had some better nicknames, though. I think I like Indie for a nickname or Vena. If anything I would call her by her middle name, Belle.

AlexxisLynn Says:

AlexxisLynn Says:

mellohorn20 Says:

I adore this name and I don't know why. I don't go for long or frilly names usually, but Lavender is different. I would use it as a middle name so I wouldn't have to worry about the nickname Lavvie. I don't even like how Lavender smells. It sounds too hipster for me to use as a first name, but I would love to meet someone named Lavender.

Kylie Says:

I named my daughter lavender and we call her lala because her big brother couldn't pronounce her name. We also call her love and Vandy. I like dilly but don't think my husband would be cool with that lol.

RoddyThlayli Says:

Jorja Says:

This has always been my favourite girls name. I thought if I had a daughter I would name her Lavender and call her Lovey for short. Unfortunately we are now expecting and my husband is not keen on this name at all.

pkbabies Says:

CaitlinBrittin Says:

If I were to name a future daughter Lavender I would use the nickname Dilly, like the nursery rhyme Lavender's Blue. It's such a sweet song and it would be so cute to name your daughter after it. some of the lyrics:

fuzzycub Says:

jan11th Says:

Vespertinerose Says:

When you say the diminutive "Lavvie" I think of the toilet. If this name were to be used, I certainly would go for a different nickname maybe Lana, Ava or Eda/ Ede or even Edie and Ender seems to fair better than Lavvie.